Liverpool ran out comfortable victors against Brighton on a
glorious day at Anfield. They went into the match knowing that a draw would be
enough to confirm a spot in the Champions League for next season, but from the
outset it was apparent that they were not inclined to sit back and play for the
point. The players knew that they had the quality to blow Brighton away, and
duly did so – Salah, Lovren, Solanke and Robertson all got on the scoresheet in
a 4-0 victory, which in truth was somewhat flattering to the visitors. The
strike for Salah means that he is now the outright record-holder for the most
goals in a 38-game Premier League season, overtaking the likes of Ronaldo and Suarez;
his sensational performances have played a big part in firing Klopp’s team to
fourth, and fans will be desperate for one more stellar showing two weeks from
now in Kyiv.
It was the kind of performance that has become synonymous
with Liverpool this season. The attack had a slightly different look to normal,
with Mane, Firmino and Salah all operating behind Dominic Solanke, but it posed
as much of a threat as ever – even in quiet spells, there was a feeling that
the forwards could be unleashed at any moment. The attacks, when they did come,
came in devastating waves: a period of calm would be shattered by a barrage of
forays forward. Spartak, Watford, Maribor, Arsenal, Porto, even Manchester
City: these are just some of the teams that have succumbed to the blitz tactics
of Klopp’s side this campaign, and it was fitting that this approach was
employed to full effect once more in this last game of the domestic season. A less
satisfying recurring theme was the denial of stonewall penalties, two of which
were waved away in the opening exchanges. Fortunately, this did nothing to halt
the momentum. Inside half an hour, Liverpool had the opener courtesy of Mohamed
Salah. Who else? This was the goal that took his tally to a record-breaking
thirty-two in the league, and it was finished with typical composure. The final
chance to praise his frankly unbelievable performances in the league cannot be
missed: thirty-five million pounds simply isn’t supposed to get you somebody
this good. It may well go down as one of the greatest transfers ever. Salah has
brought goals to Anfield, but more than that he has brought joy - all of his
individual accolades from this extraordinary season are richly deserved.
Liverpool had a second before half-time. Again, it was from
a pleasing source: Dejan Lovren, much-maligned for long periods of his time
with the club, fully deserved his goal. He has looked significantly better
since Virgil van Dijk’s arrival, and has made some important defensive
contributions – it is still the case that there is room to upgrade, but all too
often people are quick to criticise and slow to praise. Some credit is due, and
the Croatian got to drink in the plaudits after rising high to fire a header
beyond Matt Ryan. Andy Robertson must also be mentioned; it was he who put in
the cross after receiving the ball from Salah, and the delivery was
inch-perfect.
While all this was going on, Chelsea were collapsing against
Rafa Benitez’ Newcastle side. Nothing but a win would have kept their Champions
League hopes alive, but at half-time they found themselves 1-0 down and yet to
have a shot at goal. Things only got worse for them after the break, as an
Ayoze Perez brace made it 3-0 and condemned the London side to the Europa
League. Meanwhile, just to make the claiming of fourth place all the more
emphatic, former Chelsea man Dominic Solanke made it 3-0 to Liverpool. The
young striker has missed his fair share of chances in his debut campaign under
Klopp, but he tucked this one away emphatically: he positively rifled the ball
beyond Ryan and into the top corner after being put through by Salah. As with
Lovren, there are significant question marks as to whether Solanke is really of
the calibre required to cut it with Liverpool in the long term; he has youth on
his side, however, and reminded everyone of his credentials with this goal. The
rout was rounded off by another man scoring his first league goal for the club:
Andy Robertson, whose performances since joining have been a revelation, signed
off a wonderful personal campaign with a tidy finish into the bottom corner.
The win was comfortable enough to allow Klopp to withdraw
Mane, Firmino and Salah from the action before the ninety minutes were up. This
was a sensible move in terms of avoiding potential injuries before Kyiv, but
one suspects sentimentality had a larger part to play in the manager’s
thinking. Each of the trio were treated to richly-deserved standing ovations
from the Anfield faithful: simply put, it has been a pleasure to watch the
three of them play over the course of this campaign. Of course, Salah has been
the main man in terms of goals, but all three of them have combined excellently
to create one of the most dynamic attacks this league has ever seen. Firmino in
particular is a uniquely wonderful player – he, more than anyone, is the
embodiment of Klopp’s team. Rumours have
already begun to swirl about improvements in other areas over the summer
window; a few additions behind the ‘fab three’, and the team will undoubtedly
be a force to be reckoned with. However, for now, unwavering faith must be
placed in the existing squad for one last time. It has been a Herculean effort to
secure fourth place while also progressing to the final of The Champions League
despite a relative lack of depth: each and every player can immortalise
themselves on the 26th May with a win.
In a sense, however, the result against Real Madrid will
change very little. Certainly the big picture remains the same – Liverpool have
reinstated themselves as a regular presence in Europe, and have demonstrated
that they can more than hold their own against the elite. They have a clear
identity, more so than at any point in the last decade: it is an exciting,
daring philosophy, one that not only delights fans but attracts even more
talent to the club. All of this has been engineered by Jurgen Klopp, who has a
knack for bringing the best out of his players and who is a major pull factor
for potential signings. In short, the rejuvenation of a giant of the game is
well underway. This cannot be changed by the result in Kyiv, but a win would be
a glorious way to announce to the world that Liverpool Football Club is
back.
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